2028 Midfielders: Best of the Best

The 2028 midfield class is loaded with talent, but this group has separated itself among the very best. These five midfielders made an impact in every area of the field this summer, combining athleticism, IQ, skill, and two-way ability that should have them high on college coaches' lists.    When I say best of the best, Labier is exactly what I mean. A member of the 2025 USA Lacrosse U15 National Team and a 2026 U17 NTDP Combine invitee, she is an elite two-way midfielder who looks advanced well beyond her age. Labier is slippery, shifty, and constantly playing at a high pace, with the IQ to know exactly when to attack, move the ball, or create for someone else. Her chemistry with teammates stands out, particularly in the two-man game. She is incredibly dangerous with either hand, and her left-handed ability is especially impressive. Defensively, Labier is a lockdown presence who applies tremendous pressure, gets her stick into passing and shooting lanes, forces turnovers, and hunts down back checks. On the draw circle, she has a knack for appearing at exactly the right moment and coming away with contested balls. She consistently turns defensive plays into transition opportunities and then immediately becomes a threat on offense. Her shot placement, anticipation, competitiveness, and ability to impact every phase of the game make her one of the most complete midfielders in the class.     Collins is an explosive two-way midfielder whose smoothness and skill immediately stand out. She is incredibly comfortable with both hands, to the point where it can be difficult to tell which is dominant. She combines that stick work with excellent protection when working through pressure. Collins is quick and aggressive on the draw circle, flies through transition, and consistently finds ways to get involved in possessions. Offensively, she is a smart cutter who times backdoor cuts extremely well, can create for herself, and has the vision to find open teammates. She is just as impressive defensively, where her 1v1 ability and effort make her extremely difficult to get past. Collins also has a nose for ground balls and does an excellent job turning loose ball opportunities into instant offense. Her combination of polish and two-way production has her looking like a player already prepared for the college game.     Von Kleeck brings speed, explosiveness, and a nonstop attacking mentality to the midfield. She is especially dangerous when she gets downhill, carrying her momentum directly into her shot and releasing on the run without losing accuracy or control. She can finish with either hand, change her release point under pressure, and use convincing fakes to keep goalies guessing. Her spin dodge is quick and deceptive, and her shiftiness makes her difficult to contain once she builds speed. Von Kleeck is equally effective away from the ball, reading developing plays and timing her cuts to arrive in scoring areas at the right moment. She pushes the pace in transition, can create for teammates with quick feeds, and plays with an energy that consistently puts pressure on a defense. She is a dynamic, well rounded midfielder with the tools to impact the game in several different ways.     Powers has already built an impressive list of accolades, earning All-NEPSAC Class A honors as one of only two freshmen selected in New England while also being a 4-Time Best in Class All-Star. She is a true two-way midfielder who contributes everywhere. Her high cradle and strong stick protection make her difficult to check, while her ability with both hands allows her to attack confidently from different angles. Powers is a composed and efficient dodger who uses face dodges, split dodges, sharp changes of direction, and a powerful drive to create opportunities toward the cage. She is also excellent in transition and a reliable catch-and-finish threat. Defensively, she communicates and moves well through switches, provides strong help defense, applies excellent 1v1 pressure, and has the speed and determination to chase down ball carriers for back checks. She is an incredibly valuable midfielder.     Vitale has been a varsity starter since seventh grade in New York, and her experience shows in the way she sees and understands the field. Coming off a sophomore season with more than 50 goals and 30 assists, she has proven she can be both a scorer and facilitator at a high level. Vitale is listed as a midfielder but is extremely comfortable working lower on the offensive end, particularly around “X” and inside the 8-meter. She is a shifty dodger with strong stick protection, creativity behind the cage, and the ability to operate effectively with either hand. She can finish in tight, shoot from distance, and consistently place shots into difficult areas, especially the high corners. Her IQ is also evident on the draw circle, where she quickly recognizes whether to accelerate out herself or move the ball before pressure arrives. Vitale sees offensive movement developing early, finds teammates well, and puts significant effort into the ride. Her versatility and vision give her the tools to become an especially dangerous offensive midfielder at the next level.

The 2028 midfield class is loaded with talent, but this group has separated itself among the very best. These five midfielders made an impact in every area of the field this summer, combining athleticism, IQ, skill, and two-way ability that should have them high on college coaches' lists.